Cappadocia (Kapadokya) Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Transfer buses operate between Kayseri airport and accommodation in central Cappadocia for passengers leaving or arriving on flights between the mid-morning and evening. The buses pick up from and drop off to hotels and pensions in Ürgüp, Göreme, Uçhisar, Avanos and Nevşehir, and cost TL15 (for Ürgüp) to TL17 (for the other destinations). If you want to use one of these shuttle services you must prebook through Argeus Tours (0384-341 4688; www.argeus.com.tr, www.cappadociaexclusive.com; İstiklal Caddesi 7; 8.30am-7pm Nov-Mar, 8.30am-6pm Apr-Oct) in Ürgüp if you fly Turkish Airlines; or through Peerless Travel Services (0384-341 6970; www.peerlessexcursions.com; İstiklal Caddesi 19A; 8.30am-8.30pm daily), also in Ürgüp, if you fly Onur Air or Sun Express. Alternatively, you can easily request your hotel or pension in Cappadocia to book a seat for you. If you don’t prebook you will either have to make your way to the Kayseri otogar to catch a bus to your final destination (note that this is not an option in the evening) or catch a taxi, which is an expensive proposition (eg €50 to Göreme).

It’s very easy to get to Cappadocia by bus from İstanbul or Ankara. Buses from İstanbul to Cappadocia travel overnight (in high summer there may also be day buses) and bring you to Nevşehir, where there should be a servis to take you onto Uçhisar, Göreme, Avanos or Ürgüp. From Ankara you can travel more comfortably during the day. It’s easy enough to travel back from Cappadocia to İstanbul by day bus via Ankara because there are so many buses between these two cities.

The nearest train stations are at Niğde and Kayseri.